La Moncloa links itself to Zapatero (despite Julito's declaration)

MadridDespite Julio Martínez's change of strategy, which implicates former president José Luis Zapatero in the Plus Ultra bailout, Moncloa is sticking to its script. In the press conference following the council of ministers, spokesperson Elma Saiz defended the credit granted to the airline during the pandemic and, furthermore, assured that the Spanish executive "continues to maintain the presumption of innocence" for Zapatero. Saiz did not want to deviate from this: she refused to comment on the statements of Julio Martínez (alias "Julito") and also of the president of Plus Ultra, Julio Martínez Sola, who point to the former president as a key figure in the bailout, as the National Police is doing through UDEF, and limited herself to saying that the judicial investigation is in an initial phase.

In this regard, Moncloa's narrative is based on two pillars: on the one hand, that the 53 million to Plus Ultra were delivered following the established procedure, "without pressure" from anyone; and, on the other, that they believe Zapatero's version, who until now has limited himself to denying everything. "Nothing changes," assure sources from the Spanish government on the same day that Julito confirmed Zapatero's role before the judge of the Audiencia Nacional."Of all the versions, we believe Zapatero's," they state, as they attribute Julito's statement to a defense strategy to emerge unscathed. However, does this mean that Moncloa has more details about the former president's account or about the jewelry found in his office? According to Pedro Sánchez's inner circle, not at the moment, but, likewise, they continue to trust that it will be explained sooner or later publicly. "We are waiting for it," these sources affirm.

In fact, the only two things Zapatero has said publicly so far are: he published a video the day the case broke out, on May 19, to deny any mediation in the Plus Ultra bailout; and he issued a statement the day he testified before Judge José Luis Calama, just a month ago, where he asked for "trust" from the citizens because the truth would be known sooner or later. When asked about this situation, the Spanish vice president, Yolanda Díaz, also present at the press conference after the council of ministers, asked Zapatero to explain himself publicly. Although she subscribed to Elma Saiz's words, she did go further in demanding that the former Spanish president defend himself, also politically. "There is unease, sadness, and concern among the citizens," she stated. This position is, in fact, also maintained by some PSOE leaders, who believe that the party has become too tied to Zapatero when he has not yet explained why he had jewelry in his office, nor is he refuting 'Julito's' accusations.

The PP points, in contrast, to Moncloa

According to the PP, the "confessions" of both Julio Martínez Martínez and the Plus Ultra executives, sent in writing to the National Court, not only compromise José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero but also "point to Moncloa". "It is evident that Zapatero, Moncloa and the PSOE have been lying for weeks because they have no other option left," said the popular spokeswoman in Congress, Ester Muñoz, at a press conference in the lower house, prior to the conclusion of the businessman's statement. Although there is no proof for now, Muñoz believes it is evident that "Zapatero called the president or a minister" to favor the airline's bailout and argues that Pedro Sánchez's future is inseparable from what happens with Zapatero because "they are the same". "They have always done everything together," she stressed.

On behalf of Vox, the parliamentary spokesperson, Pepa Millán, has argued that “without the current government of Spain and without Sánchez’s tolerance, Zapatero’s activities” could not have been carried out. However, at another press conference in Congress, Millán pointed out that Martínez Martínez’s claims “must be verified” because “on their own they do not constitute proof”. Nevertheless, the far-right party criticizes that the Spanish president continues in La Moncloa when there are indications that “Zapatero would be the leader of a large scheme” of which Sánchez is “a partner and architect of the worst corruption known”.

On the other hand, from Catalonia, Esquerra has avoided vouching for Zapatero, but has emphasized that there must be "proof" of what the businessmen also indicted in the case say. Meanwhile, the commons have been harsher: they have stated that the ex-president’s actions are “inexplicable”. “No progressive person understands that someone from the socialist party has 1.5 million euros in a safe,” she concluded.